IT was plain that Raines-to quiet the old man's uneasiness,perhaps-had told him of his last meeting with Clayton,and that,during the absence of the latter,some arrangements for the wedding had been made,even by Easter,who in her trusting innocence had perhaps never thought of any other end to their relations.In consequence,there was an unprecedented stir among the mountaineers.The marriage of a citizen with a "furriner "was an unprecedented event,and the old mountaineer,who began to take some pride in the alliance,emphasized it at every opportunity.
At the mines Clayton's constant visits to the mountain were known to everybody,but little attention had been paid to them.
Now,however,when the rumor of the wedding seemed confirmed by his return and his silence,every one was alert with a curiosity so frankly shown that he soon became eager to get away from the mountains.Accordingly,he made known his wish to Easter's parents that the marriage should take place as soon as possible.
Both received the suggestion with silent assent.Then had followed many difficulties.Only as a great concession to the ideas and customs of "fur-riners"would the self-willed old mountaineer agree that the ceremony should take place at night,and that after the supper and the dance,the two should leave Jellico at daybreak.
Mountain marriages were solemnized in the daytime,and wedding journeys were unknown.The old man did not understand why Clayton should wish to leave the mountains,and the haste of the latter seemed to give him great offence.When Clayton had ventured to suggest,instead,that the marriage should be quiet,and that he and Easter should remain on the mountain a few days before leaving,he fumed with anger;and thereafter any suggestion from the young engineer was met with a suspicion that looked ominous.Raines was away on his circuit,and would not return until just before the wedding,so that from him Clayton could get no help.
Very wisely,then,he interfered no more,but awaited the day with dread.
It was nearing dusk when he left the camp on his wedding-night.
Half-way up the mountain he stopped to lean against the kindly breast of a bowlder blocking the path.It was the spot where he had seen Easter for the first time.The mountains were green again,as they were then,but the scene seemed sadly changed.The sun was gone;the evening-star had swung its white light like a censer above Devil's Den;the clouds were moving swiftly through the darkening air,like a frightened flock seeking a fold;and the night was closing fast over the cluster of faint camp-fires.The spirit brooding over mountain and sky was unspeakably sad,and with a sharp pain at his heart Clayton turned from it and hurried on.Mountain,sky,and valley were soon lost in the night.When he reached the cabin rays of bright light were flashing from chink and crevice into the darkness,and from the kitchen came the sounds of busy preparation.Already many guests had arrived.A group of men who stood lazily talking in the porch became silent as he approached,but,recognizing none of them,he entered the cabin.Adozen women were seated about the room,and instantly their eyes were glued upon him.As the kitchen door swung open he saw Easter's mother bending over the fireplace,a table already heavily laden,and several women bustling about it.Above his head he heard laughter,a hurried tramping of feet,and occasional cries of surprise and delight.He paused at the threshold,hardly knowing what to do,and when he turned a titter from one corner showed that his embarrassment was seen.On the porch he was seized by Easter's father,who drew him back into the room.The old mountaineer's face was flushed,and he had been drinking heavily.
Oh,hyar ye air!"he exclaimed."You're right on hand,hain't ye?
Hyar,Bill,"he called,thrusting his head out of the door,"you "n'Jim 'n'Milt come in hyar."Three awkward young mountaineers entered."These fellers air goin'to help ye."They were to be his ushers.Clayton shook hands with them gravely.
Oh,we air about ready fer ye,'n'we air only waitin'fer Sherd and the folks to come,"continued the mountaineer,jubilantly,winking significantly at Clayton and his attendants,who stood about him at the fireplace.Clayton shook his head firmly,but the rest followed Hicks,who turned at the door and repeated the invitation with a frowning face.Clayton was left the focus of feminine eyes,whose unwavering directness kept his own gaze on the floor.People began to come in rapidly,most of whom he had never seen before.
The room was filled,save for a space about him.Every one gave him a look of curiosity that made him feel like some strange animal on exhibition.Once more he tried to escape to the porch,and again he was met by Easter's father,who this time was accompanied by Raines.
The young circuit-rider was smoothly shaven,and dressed in dark clothes,and his calm face and simple but impressive manner seemed at once to alter the atmosphere of the room.He grasped Clayton's hand warmly,and without a trace of self-consciousness.
The room had grown instantly quiet,and Raines began to share the curious interest that Clayton had caused;for the young mountaineer's sermon had provoked discussion far and wide,and,moreover,the peculiar relations of the two toward Easter were known and rudely appreciated.Hicks was subdued into quiet respect,and tried to conceal his incipient intoxication.The effort did not last long.When the two fiddlers came,he led them in with a defiant air,and placed them in the corner,bustling about officiously but without looking at Raines,whose face began to cloud.
Well,we're all hyar,I reckon!"he exclaimed,in his terrible voice.
"Is Easter ready?"he shouted up the steps.
